Apparatus for handling and conveying loosefill

Abstract

Apparatus for handling loosefill and conveying the loosefill from one location to another comprises a container having a bottom and sides, the container being adapted to receive and contain therein a quantify of loosefill, a blower positioned at one end of the container, and conduit which channels air from the blower toward the other end of the container and which redirects the air back toward the one end of the container to thereby convey therewith the loosefill. A vacuum is positioned at the one end of the container which draws the loosefill out of the container. The container may be a trailer of a tractor trailer. A method of conveying loosefill from one location to another comprises providing a container of loosefill, providing an air source at one end of the container, directing air from the air source toward the other end of the container, and redirecting the air back towards the one end of the container to thereby convey therewith the loosefill to the one end of the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Apparatus for handling loosefill and conveying the loosefill from one location to another, said apparatus comprising: 
       a container having a bottom, sides and ends, said container being adapted to receive and contain therein a quantity of loosefill;  
       a blower positioned at one end of said container; and  
       a conduit which channels air from said blower toward the other end of said container and which redirects the air back towards said one end of said container, the redirected air conveying therewith the loosefill to said one end and out of said container.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim  1  further comprising a diverter which extends from said one end of said container to said other end of said container and which diverts the loosefill toward said conduit. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  1  further comprising a diverter which is positioned so as to divert the loosefill around said blower and to said one end of said container. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim  1  further comprising first and second diverters, said first diverter extending from said one end of said container to said other end of said container and which diverts the loosefill toward said conduit, said second diverter positioned so as to divert the loosefill around said blower and to said one end of said container. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim  1  wherein said conduit extends from said one end of said container to said other end of said container and includes an upper surface which is sloped to prevent loosefill from gathering atop said conduit. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim  1  wherein said container is a trailer of a tractor trailer. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim  1  wherein the container is a storage net. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim  1  further comprising a vacuum at said one end of said container which draws the loosefill out of said container. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim  1  wherein said conduit extends from said one end of said container to said other end of said container and includes openings therein oriented so as to direct air escaping therefrom toward said one end of said container and at an angle of between 0° and 90° relative to a longitudinal axis of said container. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim  9  wherein said conduit comprises openings oriented at an angle in a range of about 10° to 15°. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim  10  wherein said conduit comprises openings oriented at an angle of is about 12.7°.